Toni P.

I’m honored to have been a part of the Teacher Training and Immersion program, and to have grown and developed along with the raddest group I’ve ever known.

Last year, as 2015 was ushered in, I wrote down some things that I wanted to focus on. Not resolutions, not necessarily goals, but focal points. One of those was “Find you. Find Toni.” I had a new job, a new-ish life really, and just felt disconnected from who I knew I was. I had skewed off-center…saying “yes” to everything, being miserable when I did, not feeling at peace with myself. My identity had been tied up in my occupation, and when I changed careers, I lost that version of who I was. I needed to find me, the true me.

When I heard of the Evolutions Immersion program, it was almost too good to be true. Studying with Jenni and Ross? In a program that I could afford and attend without conflict? It didn’t seem possible. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to teach, but I did want to learn, I knew that much. I decided to delve into the teaching because, well, why not. This opportunity had presented itself in such a way, that I had to take advantage.

As the program progressed, I began to notice something…I had never paid this much attention to anything, in a while. Maybe the closest was when I was competing athletically, but even that was mainly physical and mental. The components of this program impacted me in every way possible. It was refreshing! It was…awakening.

The program was extremely well designed, and made me want more. The observations and assisting portions of the program were invaluable. So much knowledge was gained by seeing, feeling, and doing. The aspects of meditation and breath work were wildly challenging for me, but through those practices, I felt my entire practice begin to come together. And it feels as though this is just the tip! There’s a whole huge, monster glacier still waiting to be uncovered. After the Immersion program ended, there was certainly a void. I so enjoyed the Tuesday nights spent connection with my classmates, teachers, and subject matter, far away from phones, computers, screens, and the distractions that we have become used to. I fully feel that this program helped me to connect to myself – and by doing so, allowed me to connect more deeply with those closest to me.

The practice of yoga had already opened my eyes and mind to a completely different way of thinking and be-ing, and this program took that even further. I am so grateful to Jenni, Ross, and my classmates, now friends.